Although sleep is among our basic needs, there are many problems on this issue. Experts say that sleeping too much and too little increases the risk of diseases such as heart attack and stroke. For adults, 7-8 hours of sleep is considered ideal. Although sleep problems are ignored, the source of these problems can be dangerous. If you have a problem waking up at night, you need to intervene in this situation.
REASONS TO WAKE UP IN THE NIGHT
However, when medical conditions are the cause, the ailments can fall into one of three main categories; cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and neurological disorders. “High blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke are associated with poor quality sleep, including waking up during sleep,” explains the Sleep Foundation.
MAY HAVE SLEEP APNES
Because the body relies on increases in blood flow during both non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement sleep stages, these conditions hinder sleep quality due to poor circulation. According to the health organization, another disorder associated with night waking are airway diseases such as sleep apnea.
NOT TO BE MIXED WITH SLEEP PATTERNS THAT CHANGE WITH AGE
“In addition to obstructive sleep apnea, other respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can disrupt sleep during the night,” he says. Common symptoms of airway cuts include dry mouth and waking up with morning headaches.
Finally, neurological disorders are the third common cause of nocturnal awakenings, but should not be confused with common changes in sleep patterns as a person ages.
PEOPLE WITH BRAIN DISEASE LOOK MORE FREQUENTLY AT NIGHT
“While it’s normal for people to experience some changes in their sleep patterns as they age, people with conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease are more likely to wake up at night and have trouble returning to sleep,” explains the Sleep Foundation.
EARLIEST SYMPTOM OF ALZHEIMER
In fact, there is growing evidence that sleep disturbances can be an early indicator of cognitive decline. Studies suggest that such symptoms may appear years before a formal Alzheimer’s diagnosis is made.
OTHER REASONS OF WAKE UP IN THE NIGHT
Often times, temporary mental health conditions due to temporary stress are the cause of frequent awakenings during the night. More importantly, it should be remembered that the person may have difficulty sleeping but still be in excellent health. Some other health conditions that cause 3 a.m. awakenings include prostate enlargement, neuropathy, or gastrointestinal reflux disease.
ARE NIGHT WAKE UP HARMFUL?
Some experts suggest that going to bed late and getting up late may be associated with health problems. This is partly due to the fact that the body clocks of these individuals are not compatible with the rhythms of modern society. Paying attention to the body’s natural rhythms and adjusting the sleep schedule accordingly can help overcome some of the health risks associated with nighttime awakenings.